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THIS MODULE seeks to teach you how to use the structures of Caribbean Standard
English correctly and appropriately, as well as with a degree of elegance. You will
also be required to produce different types of communication relevant and
appropriate to your social, academic, professional and vocational needs.
Reading, writing, speaking and listening are the four ways in which we use
communication and you should be able to express your self in speaking and writing
with precision, accuracy, clarity and fluency. Essentially, for communication to take
place, both writing and reading skills must be employed. Similarly, speech
communication does not end with speaking. For communication to effectively take
place, the receiver/audience must employ listening skills.
It is important, then, for you to be able to not only write and speak effectively, but
also to read and listen effectively. Without effective communication skills, we are at
a disadvantage in situations that involve other people.
COMMUNICATION PROCESS
Communication has been defined as the process of people interacting through the
use of messages [Zeuschner: 1997]. Also it has been referred to as the process of
human beings responding to the symbolic behaviour of other persons.
A close observation of them reveals that communication is a process [not an
event], it involves people, it involves interaction among people and it involves the
use of messages.
As a process, communication is dynamic, continuous, irreversible and contextual.
It is inevitable, that is, it is sure to happen and cannot be altered or revoked.
All communicative events involve content and relationship. Content refers to the
substance of the message while relationship tells of the receiver and sender and
how they perceive their interaction.
Finally, communication happens in a setting or context and it is from such that
much meaning is derived. Context may be defined as a culture, location or a
relationship.
Elements in the Communication Process
Within the process of communication there are five primary elements, because
communication is a process, there are certain elements of this process that are
present in every communication act. These elements must be involved in order for
communication to take place:
*Senders/Sources/Encoders
* Receivers/ Decoders
* Messages
* Channels and Mediums
* Feedback
DESCRIPTION OF THE ELEMENTS OF THE PROCESS
1. Sender (also called source or encoder)
As the word suggests, the sender is the person/group with whom the message
originates. The sender conceptualizes the message. That is, she determines what
the content of the message will be, the best form for the message to take and the
best way of getting the message across.
2.
Message
FORMS OF COMMUNICATION
In general, human beings communicate using two main forms: verbal
communication and non-verbal communication. There are two main ways in
which human beings communicate verbally, that is, through speech and writing.
Verbal communication, simply put, is any form of communication that uses words
in order to convey meaning or transmit messages. Essentially, verbal
communication is either speech or writing. There are four main skills that human
beings put into practice when engaging in verbal communication: reading, writing,
speaking and listening. Any verbal communication involves at least two of these
skills.
Language is the one thing that all four verbal communication skills have in
common; it is a specifically human form of communication that uses symbols to
represent ideas and concepts.
Non-Verbal Communication is the form of communication that does not involve
the use of speech or writing. In effect, non-verbal communication is the use of voice,
space, objects, movement, time and the five senses to convey meanings that
without using words. Because the types of non-verbal communication focus on
physical actions and manipulations to convey meaning, they are often referred to as
communicative behaviours.
Non-Verbal/Communicative behaviours comprise the following:
Vocalics: refers to the use of voice in communicating messages. This does not
include actual words, but modulations in tone of voice, rate of speech, pitch and
non-verbal utterances. Because vocalics is often used in conjunction with speech
communication (i.e. verbal), it is often referred to as paralanguage.
Proxemics: is the use of space to communicate. Standing close to someone may
indicate that you like her; likewise, changing seat during an exam may indicate that
you suspect your neighbour of cheating or some sort of discomfort.
Artifacts: are objects that convey some sort of message about you. These include
clothes, jewellery, home decorations, book bags etc.
Movement: incorporates several movements of the body eye contact, facial
expressions, posture and gestures all communicate information. Failing to meet eye
contact when speaking to a parent may indicate nervousness, shame or the
possibility of untruthfulness; sitting straight in a chair could indicate attentiveness.
Chronemics: refers to the use of time. By being early for class you show respect
for the teacher and fellow classmates; similarly, a teacher who arrives consistently
late for class is exhibiting a lack of respect for her students and profession.
The five senses: (sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell) are also used in nonverbal communication. For example, a normally good cook who over-salts a dish for
her cheating spouse may be using taste to indicate her unhappiness or displeasure.
There are also six functions of non-verbal communication. That is, we use
non-verbal communication for six main reasons.
i. Substitute: is where we use non-verbal communication instead of, or to replace
verbal communication. Waving goodbye instead of saying it out loud is one example
of this.
ii. Reinforce: We also use non-verbal communication to reinforce or complement
our verbal communication. Pounding your hand onto a table when arguing may
reinforce whatever point youre making.
iii. Regulate: is used mostly in conversation to control the flow of messages.
Raising your hand to answer or ask a question in class helps to regulate the
communication going on in the room.
iv. Contradict: Sometimes we use non-verbal communication to contradict our
verbal communication. The most common example of this is using vocalic sarcasm
when you say one thing, but your tone of voice says the opposite.
v. Manage impressions: We often manage impressions through the use of nonverbal communication. The way we dress, for example, often coincides with the
impression we want others to have of us.
vi. Establish relationships: Finally, we use non-verbal communication to
establish relationships. The wearing of a wedding band is a non-verbal indication
that the person is married.
CONTEXTS OF COMMUNICATION
Communication takes place in a variety of settings or contexts. The context is the
setting/environment, place where communication takes place. The following are
various contexts where communication may take place.
Intra-personal: Communicating within ones self. E.g. Thinking, daydreaming,
solving problems, imagining. Also includes all physical feedback mechanisms, such
as sensations of hunger, pain, pleasure.
Interpersonal: The interaction of two or more people. The one-on-one setting,
direct contact of one person with another person. E.g. interviews, conversations,
intimate communication.
Academic: This communication takes place in an educational setting where
persons communicate mainly to disseminate educational information. E.g. Lecturer
Advantages
Direct medium of communication
advantages of physical proximity and usually, both sight and sound of sender
and receiver; allows instant interchange of opinion, views, attitudes
instantaneous feedback
Disadvantages
More difficult to hold ground in face of opposition
lack of time to think things out quality of decision making may be inferior
Disadvantages
can be expensive
Does not allow for exchange of opinion, views or attitudes except over a
period of time.